Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

The greatest three months of my life! Past Review

By (University of Minnesota - Twin Cities) - abroad from 01/19/2012 to 04/18/2012 with

CEA CAPA Education Abroad: Sydney, Australia

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned how small America actually is. Even in another English speaking country there are thousands of differences between people.

Personal Information

If you took classes at multiple universities, list those universities here: Australian Catholic University (CAPA set up courses and professors)
How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

* Food:

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

* Safety:

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Sydney is pretty expensive. Although, looking into the program now would be a good idea due to the fall in $AU purchasing power. Long live the US$

* Was housing included in your program cost? Yes
* Was food included in your program cost? Yes
Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? around AU$100
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Look into flights as soon as possible if you plan to take any trips while abroad. Drink goon before you head out to the clubs/bars (you'll know what I'm talking about when you get there). I encourage your spending. Australia has too much to offer. Don't let yourself get tied down by money constraints. . . . . don't come back with $10,000 in debt either.

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Apartment
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with? 10+

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • Sydney: the people are great and the city is clean
  • Who doesn't like going to a beach to do their homework on the weekends?
  • My internship was amazing. I'm still keeping in touch with my supervisor.
* What could be improved?
  • CAPA staff sometimes made me feel like a child. It's a new city/country/continent, but we are grown adults.
  • The internship class was a waste of valuable Sydney time. The internship itself was outstanding.
  • There should be a year long program!
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? I wish I knew how amazing it would be. I would have done it earlier so that I could pick up another study abroad program.